NORTHWEST COLORADO NEWS AND SPORTS FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH

JANTZ LOOKS FOR COMMUNITY INPUT ON WHETHER TO RUN FOR COMMISSIONER

Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz has reached out to friends and family, asking their opinions on whether or not he should run for Moffat County Commissioner when his term expires. Jantz says he has been encouraged by citizens on the street to run for the seat being vacated by Tom Mathers in the next election. Jantz says the suggestion was being presented to him so often, that he decided to ask his friends and family members how they felt about it. A message on his Facebook page yesterday read in part “I have been approached by SEVERAL people asking me to possibly run for Moffat County Commissioner for District 3. I would like your input, not just good, but what you really think about this option. Call me, text me, but please give me your honest opinion. I truly respect the wishes of the people of Moffat County.” When Jantz’ term expires, he will have served 8 years as Moffat County Sheriff. Yesterday, Jantz stressed he has not yet made a decision to run, but is simply gauging the interest of the community. Frank Moe and Glenda Bellio have officially filed to run for the position. Pictured: Tim Jantz

MARIJUANA RETAIL SALES BEGIN IN STEAMBOAT TODAY

Marijuana retail sales began today in Steamboat. The Steamboat Marijuana Licensing Authority, last night, approved the first license for retail sales in the city. The license went to Rocky Mountain Remedies, which opened for retail sales this morning. This is the first opportunity for Northwest Colorado residents to buy marijuana locally, legally, and without a doctor’s permission. Stores in Denver opened last week. Two other Steamboat shops are expected to open in the near future. The Moffat County Commissioners banned retail sales first through a moratorium, and then through an ordinance, which the commissioners say can be repealed at any time. The commissioners say they would like to see how communities like Steamboat are affected by the sales. They’re looking at all aspects from crime rate to economic benefits.

SMOLIK RESIGNS AS CEO AT TMH

Yesterday Chris Smolik, CEO at The Memorial Hospital, tendered his resignation to pursue other opportunities. He has served as CEO at The Memorial Hospital for the past 6 months. The Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting tonight at 6 to officially accept his resignation. Quorum Health Resources (QHR), the Hospital’s management services firm, has named John Rossfeld as interim CEO starting January 27th. Before then, hospital CFO Bryan Chalmers will serve in an interim capacity. Rossfeld most recently served as interim CEO for Newman Regional Health in Kansas. He has served in a variety of interim and full time CEO positions at hospitals across the country over the past 20 years. QHR has begun conducting a national search for a permanent CEO for The Memorial Hospital. The hospital board will be closely involved to find a candidate who is the best fit. There is no time frame for the search to be completed. Pictured: Chris Smolik

SEVERAL MOFFAT COUNTY BOARDS STILL HAVE OPENINGS

The Moffat County Commissioners named a number of citizens to county boards yesterday, but are still looking for people to fill open positions. Those boards still looking for members include the Library Board, the Moffat County Tourism Board, the Land Use Board and the Council on Aging. The Land Use Board is looking for someone who represents the business community. Council on Aging representative Neil Folks says his board needs alternates. While there is an age requirement to become a voting member, alternates can be any age, and Folks is encouraging younger participants. Letters of interest can be sent to the Moffat County Commissioners.

AVALANCHE KILLS ONE IN VAIL, DANGER STILL HIGH

Backcountry enthusiasts in Colorado’s northern and central mountains need to be aware of avalanche conditions. Yesterday, the grandson of one of Vail Resort’s founders was killed when he was caught in an avalanche in East Vail. Anthony Siebert was in the back country area known as the East Vail Chutes when the avalanche happened. Three other people were injured by the slide, which happened at around 11:30 yesterday morning. A look at avalanche conditions on the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s website shows the Steamboat and Flattops areas at moderate risk for avalanche activity. You can view the website’s avalanche condition map by clicking here.

SAFE2TELL PROGRAM COULD COME UNDER STATE CONTROL

Colorado has suffered through horrific school shootings, with 13 killed at Columbine High School in 1999, one killed at Platte Canyon High School in 2006, and one killed at Arapahoe High School about three weeks ago. After the Columbine massacre, a program named Safe2Tell was established to give K-12 students an anonymous hotline to report school safety problems to authorities — including, but not limited to, planned school shootings, bullying, drug and alcohol use, and planned suicides. Recently, the nonprofit-operated Safe2Tell was at risk of shutting down, primarily due to a lack of grant funding. The bipartisan Safe2Tell Act being introduced in the 2014 legislative session, and sponsored by leaders of the four legislative caucuses, will keep the program running by moving the operation from the nonprofit sector to the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. From September 2004 to December 2013, the hotline received 9,818 tips from 163 Colorado cities and 59 counties. The tips ranged from reports about bullying to reports about planned school attacks.